Page 130 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“Not just the war. I’m talking about the deep divisions between shifters.”

Roadkill blinked. “What do you know that the rest of us don’t? Because that sounds like pie in the sky. Onlyyourpie sounds like it comes with ice cream.” His stomach rumbled. “Great. Between thinking about Mrs. Landon’s cooking and pie ala mode, I’m hungry.”

Horvan chuckled. “Well, save me a slice. Anyway, I can’t tell you much—because I don’t have the answers right now—but Icantell you that’s what we’re working toward.” Horvan peered at him. “Is that something you’d like to see too?”

“Gee, let me think.” Roadkill rolled his eyes. “In a fucking heartbeat, H. There are enough human conflicts going on in the world right now to keep us employed until the Rapture. Taking shifter battles out of the equation? Feeling safe again? I’m all for that.”

He smiled. “Me too. Now go home. Make the most of having the house to yourselves, because we’ll be rolling up to the front door before you can say skinny dipping in the hot tub.” He patted Roadkill on the back. “And in case I haven’t said it yet, I think it’s fucking awesome that you, Hashtag, and Eve are mates.”

Roadkill beamed. “It is, isn’t it? And now I’ll go tell them the good news.” He hurried out of the room, passing Aelryn on his way in.

“Just the man I wanted to see.” Horvan inclined his head toward the former office building that was serving as Fielding’s temporary jail. “Who’s going to talk to our prisoner?”

“I thought you and I were the obvious choice.”

Horvan nodded. “I have a couple of suggestions. I think Saul should be in there too. He’ll want any info Fielding can give us about Vic, plus I wanna rub that fucker’s nose in the fact that they didn’t manage to kill him despite giving it their best shot. Well, their best shot fellwayshort of the mark.”

Aelryn huffed. “I couldn’t agree more. Anyone else?”

“Yeah. Jake Carson and Seth Miles.”

Aelryn’s eyes gleamed. “Anyone would think you were trying to rattle our… guest.”

“Yup. Think it’ll work? Because Fielding must’ve ordered Jake’s execution for a reason. And if the bastard won’t talk, then we have a plan B.”

“I think having them in there might give us an edge.”

“I wanna be in there too, H.” Brick spoke from the doorway, his eyes glinting.

“No.” Horvan’s gut clenched at the idea of denying Brick what he so desperately wanted, but he knew he was right.

“Hey, I was—”

“I said no. And if you were thinking clearly, you wouldn’t ask. Besides, you’ll hear everything that’s said, right? Seth will be there.”

Brick glared at him. “But… he… he….”

Horvan’s heart went out to him. “I know, Brick. But face facts. Do youreallythink you could sit across the table from him andnotshift and tear him limb from limb? Well?”

One glance at Brick’s tight features was all the answer Horvan needed.

“So what’s gonna happen to Fielding?”

Horvan gazed at Aelryn, who frowned. “We haven’t decided yet. Let’s wait until we see how cooperative he is—or isn’t.”

Horvan let out another snort. “My money’s on the latter.”

“If Seth’s gonna be in there, youknowI’m gonna be close by,” Brick informed him.

Horvan knew. If one ofhismates was in the same situation, he’d be a hot mess.

Brick sighed. “Think I’ll go stroke a kitty. It might even bring down my blood pressure. They say cats can do that.” He turned and walked away.

Brick needed a wholeheapof cats. Not that Horvan could blame him. Fielding had cost him so damn much: his parents, the constant fear for both him and Aric, holding Seth prisoner. Of everyone, Brick had been the one who’d had the most crap heaped on him. Horvan knew without a doubt that if the opportunity arose, Brick would seize it. And Horvan wasn’t sure he would want to stop him.

Horvan met Aelryn’s glance. “So when do we get this show on the road?”

Aelryn gave a thin smile. “No time like the present.”

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